Delivering the 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis, President Muizzu characterized the initiative as a "monumental national endeavour." He emphasized that the campaign will serve as a unified platform, bringing together domestic and international stakeholders to fortify the nation’s primary economic engine.
"Tourism remains the gateway of our economy and the primary source of foreign exchange," President Muizzu stated. "Transforming 'Visit Maldives Year' into an inclusive national success is vital to ensuring that the benefits of this industry reach every Maldivian citizen."
To achieve the ambitious targets set for 2027, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) in coordination with a specialised Steering Committee under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has already activated an aggressive international promotion strategy for 2026/2027.
The first quarter of 2026 has already seen a significant acceleration in global marketing activities, characterized by a high-impact presence at premier international forums. In January, the Maldives successfully participated in FITUR 2026 in Madrid, where the delegation engaged with over 50,000 industry professionals and trade experts to showcase the diverse investment landscape and evolving travel opportunities within the archipelago. This was followed by a strategic activation at the Travel & Adventure Show in New York. Conducted in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations, this participation allowed for a targeted approach toward the high-value North American market, further diversifying the nation's tourist demographics.
Building on this momentum, Visit Maldives is set to maintain a rigorous schedule of high-profile global engagements throughout the first half of the year. In February, the corporation will focus on strengthening ties with one of its primary source markets at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi, India. This will be followed by a major appearance at ITB Berlin 2026 from March 3 to 5, providing a vital platform for networking with global tour operators, major airlines, and international media. To further solidify its presence in Eastern Europe and the CIS region, the Maldives will also participate in MITT Moscow from March 11 to 13, aimed at increasing market share and brand visibility within these key territories.
The strategic campaigns will continue into the second quarter with a specialised focus on the Middle Eastern luxury segment. From April 26 to 30, the "Visit Maldives Week in Arabia" roadshow will travel through Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah to engage directly with regional travel agents and affluent travellers. This Middle Eastern circuit will culminate in a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from May 4 to 7. Following the record-breaking success of the 2025 edition, Visit Maldives aims to utilize ATM 2026 to secure new B2B partnerships and further cement the Maldives’ status as the premier destination for travellers from the Gulf region.
To ensure industry-wide alignment, VMC recently concluded the first "Quarterly Insights: Maldives Tourism Insights Briefing." This forum serves as a critical bridge between policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating the exchange of data and synchronised planning for the 2027 roadmap.
Through a combination of premier global trade fairs, targeted regional roadshows, and cutting-edge digital campaigns, the Maldives is positioning 2026 as a year of record-breaking profitability while laying the groundwork for the landmark "Visit Maldives Year 2027”.
Source: visitmaldives.com, retrieved 5 February 2026